SPLA-IO commander killed during factional clash in Magenis – spokesman

KHARTOUM – A senior South Sudan main armed opposition commander allied to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has reportedly been killed in Magenis after leading an armed assault during dawn today on the opposition forces under former SPLA-IO chief of staff Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, a spokesman allied to Gatwech said.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. William Gatjiath Deng said SPLA-IO forces belonging to First Vice President Machar launched attack on Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual’s base, but were repulsed after intense fighting resulting in the killing of several fighters from the attacking side.

“This morning at around 4:00 AM, East African Time, the forces loyal to the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, launched a heavy coordinated attack on Magenis’s outskirts. The attacks came in (2) directions, Khazan in the East, and Khorjalla, in the South,” Gatjiath said in the statement.

“The mighty forces of the SPLA (IO) all under command of Lt. General Parom Anguch and fierce generals, had excessively responded to the attacks and immediately annihilated the enemy once and for all,” he added.

Speaking to Sudans Post separately, Gatjiath said a senior opposition commander who led the assault against Magenis was killed in action, but fall short of identifying him saying they don’t want to make military achievements public for fears of causing debates among the Nuer community.

“The general who led the fighting has been killed and a big number of their forces has also been finished because the fighting took several hours and plus the area is dry without water so many of them were captured,” he added.